A POPPY appeal organiser jailed today for stealing more than £6,000 of charity money betrayed war heroes, say charity members.

Father-of-one Mark Ellis, of Reynolds Way, East Challow, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to six months after admitting 12 charges of theft from East and West Challow Royal British Legion.

He asked for a further ten charges to be taken into consideration.

The 36-year-old had taken donations from church collections, pubs, schools and shops in a Nationwide Trust account he set up in 2003, but rarely passed the money to the Legion.

He stole £6,367 between 2003 and 2007, before his arrest in July.

Ellis' jailing came a day after Remembrance Sunday, and tonight the news prompted was angry condemnation by veterans.

Terry Cox, secretary of Headington Royal British Legion, said: "A lifetime would not have been the right sentence. He has betrayed war veterans and people who fought for our country.

"The money could have helped someone. He has robbed people who really need it."

Second World War veteran Peter Hansen, 82, from Thame, added: "I think it is horrifying.

"It's really disgraceful because so many people need money - it's the best thing that can help them. He should have got longer.

"It is definitely a betrayal of all those people working so hard for the money to help people."

Kenneth Leach, 85, president of Wantage Royal British Legion, served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He said he was disgusted by Mr Ellis' actions and said he deserved a longer sentence.

The Royal British Legion helps 500 Oxfordshire war veterans each year and last year the county raised more than £500,000 for the charity.

John Regan, field officer for Berkshire and Vale of the White Horse Royal British Legion which covers the Challows, added: "It was a despicable act. We do not tolerate any misuse of funds and it is vital the public's money is used effectively.

"It is good to demonstrate we have a rigorous system if there are any discrepancies whatsoever."

Emily Dummett, defending, said Ellis suffered from Crohn's disease and was in remission from bone cancer.

She told the court the disease had affected his ability to find work and it contributed to the reason for the offending.

Judge David Morton Jack said the public's confidence in giving was at stake.

He said: "The public would be outraged if you did not go to prison and the public faith in collections of this sort would be shaken.

"Had your life not been such a sad one, your sentence might have been twice as long."